Tuesday, May 31, 2011

COUNTRY MUSIC LOVERS...ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, VISIT THIS BLOG FOR THE PREMIERE EPISODE OF

OLD SCHOOL COUNTRYFEATURING THE BEST OF CLASSIC C&W FROM THE 50's, 60's, 70's AND BEYOND FROM THE PIPE'S VINYL COLLECTION TO SPOTLIGHT REAL COUNTRY & WESTERN MUSIC.

SYD: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Z93JM8WENZ: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Z12PCNMNMany thanks to Henry for finding these BUCK LPs for me a few years ago after many years of traveling the world and failing to locate one anywhere...the holy grail was "Live In Scandinavia" but at least that one was issued on CD more recently...also, there is a double vinyl Japan concert that I may post later.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Radio was Stan Freberg's first love but by 1966 it was all about television and the chance to produce a comedy radio program was fading away like the stations that were once broadcasting nightly in everyone's living room. Freberg's idea was to continue the radio program via long playing records (hence "pay radio"...little did he know...) but sadly, this was the only LP he released featuring the concept.

I've always loved Stan Freberg's records. They're funny, imaginative and always well produced. This LP is no exception and should be reissued. He's a master satirist and his comedy makes you think and then crack up. Long live Freberg!http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VWFPH538

Friday, May 27, 2011

ROBBIE ROBERTSON is the guest on this radio interview program LP scheduled for broadcast on March 21, 1988. “Classic Call” was a bit different from other listener call-in radio programs. The slogan was “where the superstars of rock call YOU!” and that's what happens. If you have a question for the guest, you could send in your name and phone number and the rock star might actually dial you number to answer your question. It's funny to hear Robbie calling up the fans and saying "Hi Patti, this is Robbie Robertson" and "what are you doing?" They play a few songs from The Band also which stirs up a little conversation about relations between Robbie and the other members which get smoothed over pretty quick. Mostly though, Robbie promotes his self-titled Geffen LP that he co-produced with Daniel Lanois. As far as I remember, I didn’t hear Daniel Lanois’ name mentioned once while listening to this! Oh well, nice U2 stories though. Also, HOT Michelob commercials are included by Eric Clapton & Wang Chung!http://www.megaupload.com/?d=820R56YG

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I met Mothers vocalist RAY COLLINS at a record convention in Orange County years ago...he was funny & nice and was concerned about getting his teeth fixed before he could re-enter the entertainment business. He is a GREAT singer.

Monday, May 23, 2011

This is a cool LP that my Dad sent me. He's a Johnny Cash fan too but he gave this one up. Thanks Dad! It's actually a Carter Family (Mother Maybelle and daughters June, Anita and Helen) album from 1964 called "Keep On The Sunny Side" with Johnny guesting. He wrote the liner notes on the back cover too. Check 'em out!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

HEY VINYL SHELFERS!! It's a special treat Saturday episode featuring an EXCLUSIVE fresh mix of SIGN OF LOVE by NEIL YOUNG (from "Le Noise") but this is a NEW version that features DAVE GROHL on drums!!

Special thanks to Daniel for sharing this rare acetate.

I decided to put together some other NEW SOUNDS you'll dig, all from VINYL...STACKS OF WAX featuring great artists like JOHN FOGERTY, DONOVAN, BLACK DUB, BUCK OWENS, STAN FREBERG, SHANICE and more...with your host, THE PIPE.

Also today on THE VINYL SHELF, check out the new sound of SAVOIR FAIRE--BRAND NEW Vinyl LP "Hooray For Hollywood" is out NOW. If you like the Stones, New York Dolls, Stooges, Funkadelic and classic soul (Produced by Luther Russell), then go to http://www.amoeba.com/buy-stuff/detail/savoir-faire/hooray-for-hollywood-lp--31216.html and buy it (or just go to Amoeba if you live in L.A.).And ROCCO DELUCA has a fabulous new RED VINYL LP called "FIELD RECORDINGS." If you plan on coming to any of the BLACK DUB shows, he's opening up the show and he'll have copies to sell. See you on the road!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Join the VINYL SHELF as The Pipe spins his favorite vinyl. A variety of sounds from EARTHA to ACUFF, GFR to BCR, DEKKER to GILDER, JIMMY REED to JOHNNY OTIS...Anything goes! The internet's favorite VINYL ONLY radio show returns with a GREAT new episode...http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PC6KNFFTATTENTION VINYL SHELFERS!!Join us TOMORROW for a rare and special SATURDAY edition of The Vinyl Shelf...The Pipe was just given an exclusive mix of NEIL YOUNG with DAVE GROHL on drums produced by DANIEL LANOIS that I'm gonna play along with other vinyl goodies that I JUST GOT for an up to the minute episode. SATURDAY VINYL SHELF!! Enjoy today and tune in tomorrow...Let it rock...

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M3WP2K44During my high school years, some friends and I had a music fanzine. I was already a big fan of Sparks, and the Mael's backing band at the time was a Los Angeles combo called GLEAMING SPIRES featuring Leslie Bohem and David Kendrick and later, guitarist Bob Haag and keyboardist Jim Goodwin were also members of the expanded Spires lineup. These days, singer/bassist Les Bohem is a successful screenwriter (Dante's Peak, Twenty Bucks). I bought their albums and reviewed them in the fanzine. The back cover said "Write to a Spire" with an L.A. address, so I did and asked if I could get an exclusive interview. David Kendrick sent a postcard back telling me to send my questions and he'd do the interview only if I sent him a finished copy of the fanzine. David's a great drummer and I remember one of my questions was why they used a drum machine on the first album and he said it was to keep studio costs down. Because of that drum machine, this album has a real interesting sound that keeps it fresh and ahead of its time. I'm still writing about this damn band.

Monday, May 16, 2011

This is an incredible audio book album. The hard to find "E.T." LP narrated by Michael and featuring one song ("Someone In The Dark") was released by MCA Records in 1982 for a short period before Michael's label (Epic) forced the album to be withdrawn. Produced by Quincy Jones, this soundtrack/narration LP was released at the same time as "Thriller." Epic was fine with the release until MCA promoted "Someone In The Dark" as a single, breaching their contract and sealing the album's fate. Copies were withdrawn immediately but it didn't stop the album from winning a Grammy ("Best Recording for Children"). If you can find one of these, make sure the poster is inside!

Friday, May 13, 2011

I stared at this magazine cover for hours. Many great British singles were released in the 80's. The bands had the right MUSICAL influences as well as the look. Do you remember the name GRAHAM DENE? He was the host of ROCK OVER LONDON, a syndicated program that hip FM stations would broadcast featuring the latest sounds from across the ocean. I used to tune in every Sunday night when I was a kid just trying to find some reason to forget that I had to go to school the next day. I'm not saying I love Spandau Ballet for anything more than what they are or that I think Limahl is an underrated genius, but sometimes when I got tired of metal guys dancing around in spandex and leather I'd tune in to the new wave guys dancing around in spandex and leather. Hey man, I read Circus AND Smash Hits.

This LP radio show is dated July 22, 1984 and most likely I heard it back in the day in my bedroom. BOX OF FROGS drummer Jim McCarty (Yardbirds) is interviewed and are spotlighted with a song called "Harder" that sounds a lot like THE STONES. Speaking of, "It's All Over Now" is this week's oldie and JEFF LYNNE's "Video" solo single is debuted. There's hits from ULTRAVOX, NIK KERSHAW, ALISON MOYET and the NAUGHTY BITS gossip department is also here. Take a guess who's at both #1 AND #2 on the Top 5 that week? There's also great commercials from MAXELL TAPE (Jerry Lee version) and the U.S. Army ("Be All That You Can Be"--GREAT JINGLE!).http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HQG5XD9E

Thursday, May 12, 2011

How amazing is it that in 1981 in the U.S., the Bay City Rollers career was basically non-existent. It was almost like it didn't happen. Just a few years after mass hysteria and an NBC TV show, you couldn't find ANYTHING about them in rock magazines or even the teen rags that worshipped them a few years before. I had NO IDEA that the Rollers made a movie in 1981 and it was elusive for years. Maybe that's a good thing. Two versions of this film exist, one in English and one dubbed in German. Roller founder Alan Longmuir is the star of this racing car movie, playing the nerd who not only ends up getting the girl but he wins the race as well. Derek, Woody and new Roller vocalist Duncan Faure are in a few scenes as Alan's friends and they also perform during the party sequence. Eric Faulkner is the only Roller who's absent but he submits songs to the soundtrack. But this is no 'Hard Day's Night' or even 'Glitter' for that matter. The movie is slow, boring and poorly acted. It only takes the opening scene of Alan eating a bowl of cereal for anyone to know that this is no cinematic classic.I remember reading a small update on the Rollers in 16 Magazine in 1981 ('Remember Them?') that said they were set to release a new LP called "Ricochet" on CBS Records. The album never came out in the U.S. and I never heard another peep about it until a few years later when I tracked down a Japanese import (and the album before that, an Arista contractual obligation album called "Voxx" was only released in Japan and Germany and was IMPOSSIBLE to find for years). The sad truth is, the band was at their musical peak but no one would take them seriously. A few songs featured in the 'Burning Rubber' movie were re-recorded for the "Ricochet" album and it's interesting to hear the differences. Never released on vinyl or CD, only a very limited fan club cassette that I've had a dub of for years. I didn't try to clean up the tape hiss or anything, I just did a straight transfer. BCR still rule!http://www.megaupload.com/?d=96V9SK0T

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

No Partridge tunes here but there's a version of "Please Please Me" and LOTS of screaming mania. Recorded in Great Britain in 1974, a time when Cassidy was the BIGGEST there was. An interesting listen even if it's filled with oldies medleys and even "Delta Lady." The only thing missing here is Danny's killer bass lines. Definitely the hardest to find of David's Bell albums.http://www.megaupload.com/?d=61DOPNT4

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

This 1973 release by teen idol sensation David Cassidy comes off as a serious artistic statement considering any of the songs on his previous solo LPs would've easily fit on any Partridge Family album ("Cherish" and "Rock Me Baby" which are both produced by Partridge producer Wes Farrell).

A new producer, Rick Jarrard, brings a different sound to the backing tracks as David covers Nilsson, Peggy Lee, John Sebastian and even the Partridge Family's "Summer Days" is here in a completely different arrangement. A few nice originals too written with future superstar Kim Carnes, who was Cassidy's backup vocalist, and her husband Dave Ellingson. I remember the BCR championing this album in teen mags in their early days. And why not? David's got a great voice and he was definitely a rock star. He released two more solo albums on the Bell label (a live one and a greatest hits collection half full of Partridge tunes) before Clive Davis decided to clean house and D.C. moved to RCA and continued what he started with this one. Try it, you'll like it.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Found this original grey label Columbia stereo LP at a thrift store and really enjoyed listening to it. I thought you might too. From 1959, this is the soundtrack of the rarely seen Otto Preminger film with Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge. The film has never been officially released on DVD nor has there been a legitimate CD release for the soundtrack due to a denial of release by the Gershwin Estate (they were unhappy with Otto Preminger's film treatment). Sammy Davis, Jr. who appears in the film is replaced on the album by Cab Calloway due to contractual reasons. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W0KVZGEH

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Never officially released on CD, this is a classic album by a classic artist who doesn't get enough recognition. She opened for the Beatles on their 1965 tour and released a bunch of BRILLIANT singles on the Tamla label (compiled on a stellar Motown "Greatest Hits And Rare Classics" CD that is a must buy). This album has a more adult sound, it's classy and not a normal 'aimed at the average teen' Motown release of the time. This was her only LP released on Tamla.Brenda is from Los Angeles and was Berry Gordy's first west coast signing. She has an amazing voice and was brought in as a NEW Mary Wells. She is also co-writer of the standard "You've Made Me So Very Happy" that was a hit for Blood, Sweat & Tears. Her sister (who passed away a few years ago) is Patrice Holloway, also blessed with a strong singing voice (she was the lead vocalist on the original cartoon series of "Josie & The Pussycats) and her records are also well worth hunting (if you can find 'em). I almost had the chance to play music with Brenda Holloway and talked to her on the phone a few times but she was a busy mother and housewife and that kept her too busy for music at the time. Maybe someday! Brenda Holloway RULES.http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FE99YCNJ

Thursday, May 5, 2011

This is an 80's pressing UK Tamla Motown LP that compiles ultra rare early 60's 'Motortown Revue' live recordings. You get to hear some vintage Temptations ("Dream Come True" and "I Want A Love I Can See" featuring Paul Williams lead vocal) letting everyone know that they were ALREADY the BEST and Marvin Gaye's voice is a true natural wonder. Speaking of Wonder, a very young Stevie's here too and his one-time babysitter Martha & her Vandellas spotlight their hits. And so do the marvelous Marvelettes (Gladys Horton R.I.P.--I met her at a record convention once and she was super nice to me) who do a medley of their early smash hits. Smokey & The Miracles close the show with "Mickey's Monkey" but it's Kim Weston (especially on "Love Me All The Way") and Mary Wells (MY personal 'queen of soul') who impress me the most as singers. I do have a few of the original pressings of these Motortown Revue LPs but this one sounds really nice and gives an excellent example of what it was like to have witnessed one of these incredible concerts.http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0ISWUBVF

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Hey Jenni, THANKS for the comment and for enjoying the BCR posts. Here's some PAT McGLYNN rarities that hopefully you haven't heard. This is mostly made up of singles from Japan, including some non-LP songs and single versions and a few interview flexi discs.Here's the Young Rock PAT McGLYNN interview flexiTRACK LISTING:Flying High (Japan 45)New York City (Japan 45)If I Could Be Your Man (non-LP B-side)Stop Leading Me On (Live Japan 45 version)Don't Send Me Away Again (Non-LP Japan 45)Fool In Love (Japan B-side)My Little Girl Is Fine (Non-LP Japan 45)Funky Music (Japan 45)She'd Rather Be With Me (45 version)Street Walkin' Girl (non-LP)When You Walk In The Room (non-LP)Hold On Love (non-LP)Direct Message From Pat McGlynn To You Flexi JapanNo Matter What (1982 Japan 45)Tonight's The Night (1982 Japan 45)Young Rock Flexi JapanWOW! The RIDICULOUSLY rare 1983 2 LP "Live In Japan" by the ROLLERS featuring a seven man lineup (Leslie, Eric, Woody, Alan, Derek, Ian and Pat--all except Duncan) going through the history of Roller music.PAT:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JW942IOODisc 1:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W57HIPW5Disc 2:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=53GCVYAR

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Judging by the album title and cover artwork you might think “Blaze” album is their underground psych masterpiece that only hip people know about. Well, you’re half wrong. It’s kind of a typical Herman’s Hermits album, well-written British Invasion pop that’s less like “Sgt. Pepper” and more like “Yesterday And Today” or "Beatles VI" only a year or more too late. Sometimes when you play this album it seems like you’ve never heard it before and it just goes by pleasantly as you wait for something to really happen. It’s short and sweet, not psychedelic at all, although it IS true that only the hip people know about it.

Herman’s Hermits were commonplace in the cutout LP bins in the 70’s and 80’s. MGM Records must’ve pressed a gazillion of them and to this day it’s not really hard to find SEALED copies of their American catalog which were Most-ly (get it?) exclusively compiled for U.S. audiences.

I remember getting “The Best Of Herman’s Hermits Volume III” for a dollar at the local Woolworth store (the one in Delaware was called ‘Woolco’) when I was a kid. It blew my tiny mind! I thought (or maybe told my brother), “This stuff is just as good as ‘Henry The 8th’” and now I even like it better. A few songs (“Big Man,” “Wings Of Love,” and “Mum & Dad”) are only available on this compilation album and they weren’t hits at all but they’re high quality Hermits ditties that definitely sound like you’ve heard them before. “Wings Of Love” has always been a favorite. There ARE a few hits--“No Milk Today” and “East West” (both classic Graham Gouldman songs) are both taken from the album “There’s A Kind Of Hush” and speaking of which, that title track smash is on here too. “Museum” (a Donovan cover, who was also produced by Mickie Most) and “Moonshine Man” are both from the previously mentioned “Blaze” which was also overflowing from Woolco and Sears record department bargain bin. I LOVED CUTOUTS!! I discovered “Life In A Tin Can” and got to easily obtain “Jamming With Edward” thanks to the cutout bins. MOST (get it?) of the Hermits albums were not really TRUE Stereo so the MONO LPs are the preferred way to hear these (like the Dave Clark Five, the Hermits are victims of the U.S. record companies releasing the albums in mono AND fake Re-channeled Stereo where the sound quality is weird at best) with a few exceptions. The “Hold On” soundtrack is true stereo and the last few MGM releases were true stereo as well.

A 1966 release called “Both Sides Of Herman’s Hermits” is the strangest of the band’s discography featuring a hodge podge of songs (the UK album of the same name is entirely different). The U.S. version has outstanding gems (“This Door Swings Both Ways” and “My Reservation’s Been Confirmed”) alongside ‘live’ British music hall cover versions that are silly. The cover artwork is by the legendary Frank Frazetta (misspelled as Frizetta).

I can remember where I found most of my first copies of these albums (“Mrs. Brown” soundtrack was in Nashville with my family and “On Tour” was from Bill Smolka, previously talked about in my Rolling Stones ‘Liver Than You’ll Ever Be’ post) and the music on these albums hold up very well for me. I’m proud of being a Hermaniac or a Noone-atic, whatever you want to call it.

Peter Noone’s voice is a gem and he's one of the great British pop singers. There’s a great quality to it that’s still there to this day.

The first two albums from 1965 are full of toetappers and a nice production style that appeals to 60's pop fans and rockers. I want to also say that although they had help throughout the years on their recordings (you ever heard of a guitarist named Jimmy Page?), the Hermits were a REAL BAND and could convincingly rock the house with the best of them. So Lek, Barry, Keith, Karl and Peter...THANKS for the music!THE BEST OF HERMAN’S HERMITS VOLUME III (Stereo MGM LP) 1968http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IIW8EB84BLAZE (Mono MGM LP) 1967http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RZL4U7OCBOTH SIDES OF HERMAN’S HERMITS (Mono MGM LP) 1966http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O2066B28HERMAN’S HERMITS ON TOUR (Mono MGM LP) 1965 plusINTRODUCING HERMAN’S HERMITS (Mono MGM LP) 1965http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TKX808OYNext time we’ll do SOLO Peter Noone rarities!

About Me

My name is Jim Wilson and I just released my first solo album...ON VINYL! I also play with DANIEL LANOIS & BLACK DUB, MOTHER SUPERIOR and SPARKS.
This is a new blog to promote my own music and music that I am involved with as well as share some rarities with friends.